Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of June 4, 2024, by and between RiceBran Technologies and Funicular Funds, LP

Contract Categories: Business Finance - Registration Rights Agreements
EX-10.2 4 ex_685099.htm EXHIBIT 10.2 ex_685099.htm

Exhibit 10.2

 

 

 

 

 

REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT

 

 

by and among

 

 

RICEBRAN TECHNOLOGIES

 

 

and

 

 

THE PURCHASER PARTY HERETO

 

 

Dated as of June 4, 2024

 

 

 

 
 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

Page

 

ARTICLE I RESALE SHELF REGISTRATION

 1
     

Section 1.1         

 Resale Shelf Registration Statement 1

Section 1.2         

 Effectiveness Period 1

Section 1.3

 Subsequent Shelf Registration Statement 2

Section 1.4

 Supplements and Amendments 2

Section 1.5

 Underwritten Offering  2

Section 1.6

 Piggyback Registration 3
     

ARTICLE II ADDITIONAL PROVISIONS REGARDING REGISTRATION RIGHTS

 4
     

Section 2.1

 Registration Procedures 4

Section 2.2

 Suspension 9

Section 2.3

 Expenses of Registration 9

Section 2.4

 Information by Holders 9

Section 2.5

 Rule 144 10
     

ARTICLE III INDEMNIFICATION

 11
     

Section 3.1

 Indemnification by Company 11

Section 3.2

 Indemnification by Holders 12

Section 3.3

 Notification 13

Section 3.4

 Contribution 13
     

ARTICLE IV TRANSFER AND TERMINATION OF REGISTRATION RIGHTS

 14
     

Section 4.1

 Transfer of Registration Rights 14

Section 4.2

 Termination of Registration Rights  14
     

ARTICLE V MISCELLANEOUS

 14
     

Section 5.1

 Amendments and Waivers 14

Section 5.2

 Extension of Time, Waiver 14

Section 5.3

 Assignment 15

Section 5.4

 Counterparts 15

Section 5.5

 Entire Agreement; No Third Party Beneficiary 15

Section 5.6

 Governing Law; Jurisdiction 15

Section 5.7

 Specific Enforcement  16

Section 5.8

 Waiver of Jury Trial 16

Section 5.9

 Notices 17

Section 5.10

 Severability 18

Section 5.11

 Expenses 18

Section 5.12

 No Inconsistent Agreements; Most Favored Nations 18

 

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REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT

 

This REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is entered into as of June 4, 2024, by and between RiceBran Technologies, a California corporation (the “Company”), and the undersigned purchaser (together with its successors and assigns, the “Purchaser”). Capitalized terms used but not defined elsewhere herein are defined in Exhibit A. The Purchaser and any other party that may become a party hereto pursuant to Section 4.1 are referred to collectively as the “Holders” and individually each as a “Holder.”

 

RECITALS

 

WHEREAS, the Company and the Purchaser have entered into the Securities Purchase Agreement, dated as of the date hereof (as may be amended from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof, the “Purchase Agreement”), pursuant to which, among other things, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth therein, at the closing of the transactions contemplated by the Purchase Agreement, the Company will issue and sell to the Purchaser, and the Purchaser will purchase from the Company, warrants (the “Warrants”) to purchase shares of Common Stock of the Company (the “Common Stock”);

 

WHEREAS, as a condition to the obligations of the Company and the Purchaser under the Purchase Agreement, the Company and the Purchaser are entering into this Agreement for the purpose of granting certain registration and other rights to the Holders.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements contained in this Agreement, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties to this Agreement hereby agree as follows:

 

ARTICLE I


    RESALE SHELF REGISTRATION

 

Section 1.1    Resale Shelf Registration Statement. Subject to the other applicable provisions of this Agreement, the Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to prepare and file within 180 days after the date hereof, a registration statement covering the sale or distribution from time to time by the Holders of all of the Registrable Securities on Form S-3 (except if the Company is not then eligible to register for resale the Registrable Securities on Form S-3, then such registration shall be on another appropriate form and shall provide for the registration of such Registrable Securities for resale by the Holders in accordance with any reasonable method of distribution elected by the Purchaser), so long as any such method of distribution is available for registered resales of the securities of the Company pursuant to the Securities Act (the “Resale Shelf Registration Statement”). The Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to cause such Resale Shelf Registration Statement to be declared effective by the SEC as promptly as is reasonably practicable after the filing thereof.

 

Section 1.2    Effectiveness Period. Once declared effective, the Company shall, subject to the other applicable provisions of this Agreement, use its reasonable best efforts to cause the Resale Shelf Registration Statement to be continuously effective and usable until such time as there are no longer any Registrable Securities (the “Effectiveness Period”).

 

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Section 1.3    Subsequent Shelf Registration Statement. If any Shelf Registration Statement ceases to be effective under the Securities Act for any reason at any time during the Effectiveness Period, the Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to as promptly as is reasonably practicable cause such Shelf Registration Statement to again become effective under the Securities Act (including obtaining the prompt withdrawal of any order suspending the effectiveness of such Shelf Registration Statement), and shall use its reasonable best efforts to as promptly as is reasonably practicable amend such Shelf Registration Statement in a manner reasonably expected to result in the withdrawal of any order suspending the effectiveness of such Shelf Registration Statement or file an additional registration statement (a “Subsequent Shelf Registration Statement”) registering the resale from time to time by the Holders thereof of all securities that are Registrable Securities as of the time of such filing. If a Subsequent Shelf Registration Statement is filed, the Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to  cause such Subsequent Shelf Registration Statement to become effective under the Securities Act as promptly as is reasonably practicable after the filing thereof and  keep such Subsequent Shelf Registration Statement continuously effective and usable until the end of the Effectiveness Period. Any such Subsequent Shelf Registration Statement shall be a registration statement on Form S-3 to the extent that the Company is eligible to use such form. Otherwise, such Subsequent Shelf Registration Statement shall be on another appropriate form and shall provide for the registration of such Registrable Securities for resale by the Holders in accordance with any reasonable method of distribution elected by the Purchaser, so long as any such method of distribution is available for registered resales of the securities of the Company pursuant to the Securities Act.

 

Section 1.4    Supplements and Amendments. The Company shall supplement and amend any Shelf Registration Statement if required by the Securities Act or the rules, regulations or instructions applicable to the registration form used by the Company for such Shelf Registration Statement.

 

Section 1.5    Underwritten Offering.

 

(a)    Subject to any applicable restrictions on transfer and to the extent permitted under the Securities Act, one or more Holders of Registrable Securities may, after the Resale Shelf Registration Statement becomes effective, deliver a written notice to the Company (the “Underwritten Offering Notice”) specifying that the sale of some or all of the Registrable Securities subject to such Resale Shelf Registration Statement, is intended to be conducted through an underwritten offering or an underwritten block trade or bought deal; provided, however, that the Holders may not, without the Company’s prior written consent,  launch an underwritten offering or underwritten block trade or bought deal the anticipated gross proceeds of which shall be less than $400,000 (unless the Holder, collectively with all of its Affiliates, is proposing to sell all of their remaining Registrable Securities) or  launch more than three underwritten offerings or underwritten block trades or bought deals at the request of the Holders within any 365-day period (such qualifying underwritten offering or underwritten block trade or bought deal, an “Underwritten Offering”).

 

(b)    In the event of an Underwritten Offering, the Holder(s) delivering the Underwritten Offering Notice shall select the managing underwriter(s) to administer the Underwritten Offering; provided that the choice of such managing underwriter(s) shall be subject to the consent of the Company, which shall not be unreasonably withheld. In making the determination to consent to the Holder or Holders’, as applicable, choice of managing underwriter(s), the Company may take into account its business and strategic interests. The Company and the Holders participating in an Underwritten Offering will enter into an underwriting agreement in customary form with the managing underwriter or underwriters selected for such offering.

 

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(c)    Upon receipt of an Underwritten Offering Notice (which, in the case of an Underwritten Offering that is an underwritten block trade or bought deal, shall be received by the Company not less than two Business Days prior to the day such offering is first anticipated to commence), the Company shall promptly deliver to each other Holder written notice thereof and if, within three Business Days after the date of the delivery of such notice (or one Business Day in the case of an Underwritten Offering that is an underwritten block trade or bought deal), a Holder shall so request in writing, the Company shall as expeditiously as possible use its reasonable best efforts to facilitate such Underwritten Offering (which, in the case of an Underwritten Offering that is an underwritten block trade or bought deal, close as early as two Business Days after the date it commences) include in such Underwritten Offering all or any part of such Holder’s Registrable Securities as such Holder requests to be registered, subject to Section 1.5(d).

 

(d)    The Company will not include in any Underwritten Offering pursuant to this Section 1.5 any securities that are not Registrable Securities without the prior written consent of the Holder(s) participating in such Underwritten Offering. If the managing underwriter or underwriters advise the Company and such Holder(s) in writing that in its or their good faith opinion the number of Registrable Securities (and, if permitted hereunder, other securities requested to be included in such offering) exceeds the number of securities which can be sold in such offering in light of market conditions or is such so as to adversely affect the success of such offering, the Company will include in such offering only such number of securities that can be sold without adversely affecting the marketability of the offering, which securities will be so included in the following order of priority:  first, the Registrable Securities of the Holders that have requested to participate in such Underwritten Offering, allocated pro rata among such Holders on the basis of their respective then-owned Registrable Securities, and  second, any other securities of the Company that have been requested to be so included.

 

Section 1.6    Piggyback Registration.

 

(a)    If the Company proposes to file a registration statement under the Securities Act with respect to an offering of Common Stock or securities convertible into, or exchangeable or exercisable for, Common Stock, whether or not for sale for its own account (other than a registration statement  on Form S-4, Form S-8 or any successor forms thereto or  filed to effectuate an exchange offer or any employee benefit or dividend reinvestment plan), then the Company shall give prompt written notice of such filing, which notice shall be given, to the extent reasonably practicable, no later than seven Business Days prior to the filing date (the “Piggyback Notice”) to the Holders. The Piggyback Notice shall offer such Holders the opportunity to include (or cause to be included) in such registration statement the number of shares of Registrable Securities as each such Holder may request (each, a “Piggyback Registration Statement”). Subject to Section 1.6(b), the Company shall include in each Piggyback Registration Statement all Registrable Securities with respect to which the Company has received written requests for inclusion therein (each, a “Piggyback Request”) within five Business Days after the date of the Piggyback Notice but in any event not later than two Business Day prior to the filing date of a Piggyback Registration Statement. The Company shall not be required to maintain the effectiveness of a Piggyback Registration Statement beyond the earlier of (x) 180 days after the effective date thereof and (y) consummation of the distribution by the Holders of the Registrable Securities included in such registration statement. The Company may postpone or withdraw a Piggyback Registration Statement at any time prior to effectiveness of such Piggyback Registration Statement without incurring any liability to the Holders.

 

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(b)    Subject to any applicable restrictions on transfer, if any of the securities to be registered pursuant to the registration giving rise to the rights under this Section 1.6 are to be sold in an underwritten offering, the Company shall use reasonable best efforts to cause the managing underwriter or underwriters of a proposed underwritten offering to permit Holders who have timely submitted a Piggyback Request in connection with such offering to include in such offering all Registrable Securities included in each Holder’s Piggyback Request on the same terms and subject to the same conditions as any other shares of capital stock, if any, of the Company included in the offering. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the managing underwriter or underwriters of such underwritten offering advise the Company in writing that in its or their good faith opinion the number of securities exceeds the number of securities which can be sold in such offering in light of market conditions or is such so as to adversely affect the success of such offering, the Company will include in such offering only such number of securities that can be sold without adversely affecting the marketability of the offering, which securities will be so included in the following order of priority:  first, the securities proposed to be sold by the Company for its own account;  second, the Registrable Securities of the Holders that have requested to participate in such underwritten offering and any other persons with piggyback registration rights who have the right to participate and that have requested to participate in such offering, allocated pro rata among such selling holders on the basis of their respective then-owned registrable securities; and  third, any other securities of the Company that have been requested to be included in such offering, allocated pro rata among such holders on the basis of the percentage of securities then held by such holders; provided that Holders may, prior to the earlier of  the effectiveness of the registration statement and  the time at which the offering price or underwriter’s discount is determined with the managing underwriter or underwriters, withdraw their request to be included in such registration pursuant to this Section 1.6.

 

Section 1.7    Acknowledgment. The Holder acknowledges that the Common Stock is traded on the OTC Pink marketplace and is not currently listed on any national securities exchange. The Holder further understands that at-the-market resale offerings under Rule 415 are not available for registrants quoted on the OTC Pink marketplace. Nothing in this Agreement should be construed to require the Issuer to participate in any distribution of securities that would not be permitted under the Securities Act.

 

ARTICLE II


ADDITIONAL PROVISIONS REGARDING REGISTRATION RIGHTS

 

Section 2.1    Registration Procedures. Subject to the other applicable provisions of this Agreement, in the case of each registration of Registrable Securities effected by the Company pursuant to Article I, the Company will:

 

(a)    prepare and as promptly as reasonably practicable file with the SEC a registration statement with respect to such securities and use reasonable best efforts to cause such registration statement to become and remain effective for the period of the distribution contemplated thereby, in accordance with the applicable provisions of this Agreement;

 

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(b)    prepare and file with the SEC such amendments (including post-effective amendments) and supplements to such registration statement and the prospectus used in connection with such registration statement as may be necessary to keep such registration statement effective for the period specified in paragraph (a) above and  use reasonable efforts to cause such filings not to contain any untrue statements of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading; and  comply with the provisions of the Securities Act and the rules and regulations of the SEC with respect to the disposition of all securities covered by such registration statement in accordance with the Holders’ intended methods of distribution set forth in such registration statement for such period;

 

(c)    furnish to the Holders and their respective counsel copies of the registration statement and the prospectus included therein (including each preliminary prospectus) proposed to be filed and provide such Holders with a reasonable opportunity to review and comment on such registration statement;

 

(d)    if requested by the managing underwriter or underwriters, if any, or the Holder(s), promptly include in any prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment such information as the managing underwriter or underwriters, if any, or the Holder(s) may reasonably request in order to permit the intended method of distribution of such securities and make all required filings of such prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment as soon as reasonably practicable after the Company has received such request; provided, however, that the Company shall not be required to take any actions under this Section 2.1(d) that are not, in the opinion of counsel for the Company, in compliance with applicable law;

 

(e)    in the event that the Registrable Securities are being offered in an Underwritten Offering, furnish to the Holder(s) participating in such Underwritten Offering and their respective counsel and to the underwriters of the securities being registered and their respective counsel such reasonable number of copies of the registration statement, preliminary prospectus and final prospectus as such Holder(s) or such underwriters may reasonably request in order to facilitate the public offering or other disposition of such securities;

 

(f)    as promptly as reasonably practicable notify the Holder(s) at any time when a prospectus relating thereto is required to be delivered under the Securities Act or of the Company’s discovery of the occurrence of any event as a result of which the prospectus included in such registration statement, as then in effect, includes an untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading or incomplete in the light of the circumstances then existing (which, for the avoidance of doubt, shall commence a Suspension Period (as defined below)), and, subject to Section 2.2, as promptly as is reasonably practicable, prepare and file with the SEC a supplement or post-effective amendment to such registration statement or the related prospectus or any document incorporated therein by reference or file any other required document and at the request of any Holder, furnish to such Holder a reasonable number of copies of a supplement to or an amendment of such prospectus as may be necessary so that, as thereafter delivered to the Holder of such securities, such prospectus shall not include an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading or incomplete in the light of the circumstances then existing;

 

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(g)    use reasonable best efforts to register and qualify (or exempt from such registration or qualification) the securities covered by such registration statement under such other securities or “blue sky” laws of such jurisdictions within the United States as shall be reasonably requested in writing by any Holder; provided, however, that the Company shall not be required in connection therewith or as a condition thereto to  qualify to do business in any jurisdictions where it would not otherwise be required to qualify but for this subsection or  take any action that would subject it to general service of process in any such jurisdictions;

 

(h)    in the event that the Registrable Securities are being offered in a public offering, enter into an underwriting agreement, a placement agreement or equivalent agreement customary for a transaction of that nature, in each case in accordance with the applicable provisions of this Agreement, and take all such other actions reasonably requested by the Holders of the Registrable Securities being sold in connection therewith (including any reasonable actions requested by the managing underwriters, if any) to facilitate the disposition of such Registrable Securities, and in such connection,  the underwriting agreement shall contain indemnification provisions and procedures substantially to the effect set forth in Article III hereof with respect to all parties to be indemnified pursuant to Article III except as otherwise agreed by the Holders and  deliver such other documents and certificates as may be reasonably requested by the managing underwriters;

 

(i)    in connection with an Underwritten Offering, the Company shall cause its officers to use their reasonable best efforts to support the marketing of the Registrable Securities covered by such offering (including participation in “road shows” or other similar marketing efforts) to the extent reasonably necessary, in the view of the managing underwriter(s), to support the proposed sale of Registrable Securities pursuant to such Underwritten Offering;

 

(j)    use reasonable best efforts to furnish,  on the date that such Registrable Securities are delivered to the underwriters for sale, if such securities are being sold through underwriters,  an opinion dated such date of the legal counsel representing the Company for the purposes of such registration, in form and substance as is customarily given to underwriters in an underwritten public offering, addressed to Holders and the underwriters, if any,  a “negative assurances letter”, dated such date of the legal counsel representing the Company for the purposes of such registration, in form and substance as is customarily given to underwriters in an underwritten public offering and  a letter dated such date from the independent certified public accountants of the Company, in form and substance as is customarily given by independent certified public accountants to underwriters in an underwritten public offering, addressed to Holders and the underwriters, such letter to be in customary form and covering matters of the type customarily covered in “cold comfort” letters in connection with underwritten offerings or, if acceptable to the underwriters, a “bringdown” of the comfort letter described in clause (ii) below, and  on the date that is two business days’ prior to the date that such Registrable Securities are delivered to the underwriters for sale, if such securities are being sold through underwriters, a letter dated such date from the independent certified public accountants of the Company, in form and substance as is customarily given by independent certified public accountants to underwriters in an underwritten public offering, addressed to Holders and the underwriters, such letter to be in customary form and covering matters of the type customarily covered in “cold comfort” letters in connection with underwritten offerings;

 

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(k)    use reasonable best efforts to list the Registrable Securities covered by such registration statement with any securities exchange on which the Common Stock is then listed or to cause such Registrable Securities to be quoted on the same Over-The-Counter market tier on which the Common Stock is then quoted, as applicable;

 

(l)    provide a transfer agent and registrar for all such Registrable Securities not later than the effective date of such registration statement;

 

(m)    in connection with a customary due diligence review, make available for inspection by the Holders, any underwriter participating in any such disposition of Registrable Securities, if any, and any counsel or accountants retained by the Holders or underwriter (collectively, the “Offering Persons”), at the offices where normally kept, during reasonable business hours, all financial and other records, pertinent corporate documents and properties of the Company and its subsidiaries, and cause the officers, directors and employees of the Company and its subsidiaries to supply all information and participate in customary due diligence sessions in each case reasonably requested by any such representative, underwriter, counsel or accountant in connection with such Registration Statement; provided, however, that any information that is not generally publicly available at the time of delivery of such information shall be kept confidential by such Offering Persons unless  disclosure of such information is required by court or administrative order or in connection with an audit or examination by, or a blanket document request from, a regulatory or self-regulatory authority, bank examiner or auditor,  disclosure of such information, in the reasonable judgment of the Offering Persons, is required by law or applicable legal process (including in connection with the offer and sale of securities pursuant to the rules and regulations of the SEC),  such information is or becomes generally available to the public other than as a result of a non-permitted disclosure or failure to safeguard by such Offering Persons in violation of this Agreement or  such information  was known to such Offering Persons (prior to its disclosure by the Company) from a source other than the Company when such source, to the knowledge of the Offering Persons, was not bound by any contractual, legal or fiduciary obligation of confidentiality to the Company with respect to such information,  becomes available to the Offering Persons from a source other than the Company when such source, to the knowledge of the Offering Persons, is not bound by any contractual, legal or fiduciary obligation of confidentiality to the Company with respect to such information or  was developed independently by the Offering Persons or their respective representatives without the use of, or reliance on, information provided by the Company. In the case of a proposed disclosure pursuant to (i) or (ii) above, if permitted by applicable law, such Person shall be required to give the Company written notice of the proposed disclosure prior to such disclosure (except in the case of (ii) above when a proposed disclosure was or is to be made in connection with a registration statement or prospectus under this Agreement and except in the case of clause (i) above when a proposed disclosure is in connection with a routine audit or examination by, or a blanket document request from, a regulatory or self-regulatory authority, bank examiner or auditor);

 

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(n)    cooperate with each Holder and each underwriter or agent participating in the disposition of Registrable Securities and their respective counsel in connection with any filings required to be made with FINRA, including the use of reasonable best efforts to obtain FINRA’s pre-clearance or pre-approval of the registration statement and applicable prospectus upon filing with the SEC;

 

(o)    as promptly as is reasonably practicable notify the Holder(s)  when the prospectus or any prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment has been filed and, with respect to such registration statement or any post-effective amendment, when the same has become effective,  of any request by the SEC or other federal or state governmental authority for amendments or supplements to such registration statement or related prospectus or to amend or to supplement such prospectus or for additional information,  of the issuance by the SEC or any state securities authority of any stop order, injunction or other order or requirement suspending the effectiveness of such registration statement or the initiation of any proceedings for such purpose (which, for the avoidance of doubt, shall commence a Suspension Period),  if at any time the Company has reason to believe that the representations and warranties of the Company contained in any agreement contemplated by Section 2.1(h) relating to any applicable offering cease to be true and correct or  of the receipt by the Company of any notification with respect to the suspension of the qualification or exemption from qualification of any of the Registrable Securities for sale in any jurisdiction, or the initiation or threatening of any proceeding for such purpose; and

 

(p)    promptly furnish counsel for each underwriter, if any, and for the Holder(s) and their respective counsel copies of any correspondence with the SEC or any state securities authority relating to the registration statement or prospectus (for the avoidance of doubt, including, but not limited to, any comment letters received from the SEC or any state securities authority).

 

The Holders agree that, upon receipt of any notice from the Company of the happening of any event of the kind described in Section 2.1(f), Section 2.1(o)(ii) or Section 2.1(o)(iii), the Holders shall discontinue disposition of any Registrable Securities covered by such registration statement or the related prospectus until receipt of the copies of the supplemented or amended prospectus, which supplement or amendment shall, subject to the other applicable provisions of this Agreement, be prepared and furnished as soon as reasonably practicable, or until the Holders are advised in writing by the Company that the use of the applicable prospectus may be resumed, and have received copies of any amended or supplemented prospectus or any additional or supplemental filings which are incorporated, or deemed to be incorporated, by reference in such prospectus (such period during which disposition is discontinued being an “Interruption Period”) and, if requested by the Company, the Holders shall use reasonable best efforts to return, and cause the Holders to return, to the Company all copies then in their possession, of the prospectus covering such Registrable Securities at the time of receipt of such request. As soon as practicable after the Company has determined that the use of the applicable prospectus may be resumed, the Company will notify the Holders thereof. In the event the Company invokes an Interruption Period hereunder and in the sole discretion of the Company the need for the Company to continue the Interruption Period ceases for any reason, the Company shall, as soon as reasonably practicable, provide written notice to the Holders that such Interruption Period is no longer applicable. The Company shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to minimize the duration of any Interruption Period or Suspension Period, including with respect to responding to requests or preparing amendments or supplements pursuant to Section 2.1(o)(ii), and effecting the withdrawal of any stop order, injunction or similar order contemplated in Section 2.1(o)(iii) as promptly as practicable.

 

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Section 2.2    Suspension. The Company shall be entitled, on two occasions during any 12-month period, for a period of time not to exceed an aggregate of 100 days during any 12-month period (any such period a “Suspension Period”), to (x) postpone or defer any registration of Registrable Securities and shall have the right not to file and not to cause the effectiveness of any registration covering any Registrable Securities, (y) suspend the use of any prospectus and registration statement covering any Registrable Securities and (z) require the Holders to suspend any offerings or sales of Registrable Securities pursuant to a registration statement, if the Company delivers to the Holders a certificate signed by an executive officer certifying that such registration and offering would  require the Company to make an Adverse Disclosure or  materially interfere with any bona fide material financing, acquisition, disposition or other similar transaction involving the Company or any of its subsidiaries then under consideration. Such certificate shall contain a statement of the reasons for such suspension and an approximation of the anticipated length of such suspension. The Holders shall keep the information contained in such certificate confidential subject to the same terms set forth in Section 2.1(m). If the Company defers any registration of Registrable Securities in response to an Underwritten Offering Notice or requires the Holder(s) to suspend any Underwritten Offering, such Holder(s) shall be entitled to withdraw such Underwritten Offering Notice and if it does so, such request shall not be treated for any purpose as the delivery of an Underwritten Offering Notice pursuant to Section 1.5.

 

Section 2.3    Expenses of Registration. All Registration Expenses incurred in connection with any registration or offering pursuant to Article I shall be borne by the Company. All Selling Expenses relating to securities registered on behalf of the Holders shall be borne, pro rata, by the Holders included in such registration.

 

Section 2.4    Information by Holders. The Holder or Holders included in any registration shall, and the Purchaser shall cause such Holder or Holders to, furnish to the Company such information regarding such Holder or Holders and their Affiliates, the Registrable Securities held by them and the distribution proposed by such Holder or Holders and their Affiliates as the Company or its representatives may reasonably request and as shall be required in connection with any registration, qualification or compliance referred to in this Agreement. It is understood and agreed that the obligations of the Company under Article I are conditioned on the timely provisions of the foregoing information by such Holder or Holders and, without limitation of the foregoing, will be conditioned on compliance by such Holder or Holders with the following:

 

(a)    such Holder or Holders will, and will cause their respective Affiliates to, cooperate with the Company in connection with the preparation of the applicable registration statement and prospectus and, for so long as the Company is obligated to keep such registration statement effective, such Holder or Holders will and will cause their respective Affiliates to, provide to the Company, in writing and in a timely manner, for use in such registration statement (and expressly identified in writing as such), all information regarding themselves and their respective Affiliates and such other information as may be required by applicable law to enable the Company to prepare or amend such registration statement, any related prospectus and any other documents related to such offering covering the applicable Registrable Securities owned by such Holder or Holders and to maintain the currency and effectiveness thereof;

 

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(b)    during such time as such Holder or Holders and their respective Affiliates may be engaged in a distribution of the Registrable Securities, such Holder or Holders will, and they will cause their Affiliates to, comply with all laws applicable to such distribution, including Regulation M promulgated under the Exchange Act, and, to the extent required by such laws, will, and will cause their Affiliates to, among other things  not engage in any stabilization activity in connection with the securities of the Company in contravention of such laws;  distribute the Registrable Securities acquired by them solely in the manner described in the applicable registration statement and  if required by applicable law, cause to be furnished to each agent or broker-dealer to or through whom such Registrable Securities may be offered, or to the offeree if an offer is made directly by such Holder or Holders or their respective Affiliates, such copies of the applicable prospectus (as amended and supplemented to such date) and documents incorporated by reference therein as may be required by such agent, broker-dealer or offeree;

 

(c)    such Holder or Holders shall, and they shall cause their respective Affiliates to,  permit the Company and its representatives to examine such documents and records and will supply in a timely manner any information as they may be reasonably requested to provide in connection with the offering or other distribution of Registrable Securities by such Holder or Holders and  execute, deliver and perform under any agreements and instruments reasonably requested by the Company or its representatives to effectuate such registered offering, including opinions of counsel and questionnaires; and

 

(d)    on receipt of any notice from the Company of the occurrence of any of the events specified in Section 2.1(f) or clauses (i) or (ii) of Section 2.1(o), or that otherwise requires the suspension by such Holder or Holders and their respective Affiliates of the offering, sale or distribution of any of the Registrable Securities owned by such Holder or Holders, such Holders shall, and they shall cause their respective Affiliates to, cease offering, selling or distributing the Registrable Securities owned by such Holder or Holders until the offering, sale and distribution of the Registrable Securities owned by such Holder or Holders may recommence in accordance with the terms hereof and applicable law.

 

Section 2.5    Rule 144.

 

(a)    With a view to making available the benefits of Rule 144 to the Holders, the Company agrees that, for so long as a Holder owns Registrable Securities, the Company will use its reasonable best efforts to:

 

(i)      make and keep public information available, as those terms are understood and defined in Rule 144, at all times after the date of this Agreement;

 

(ii)     file with the SEC in a timely manner all reports and other documents required of the Company to be filed under the Securities Act and the Exchange Act;

 

(iii)    so long as a Holder owns any Restricted Securities, furnish to the Holder upon written request a written statement by the Company as to its compliance with the reporting requirements of the Exchange Act; and

 

(iv)     take such further action as any Holder may reasonably request, all to the extent required from time to time to enable such Holder to sell Registrable Securities without registration under the Securities Act within the limitation of the exemptions provided by Rule 144 or any similar rule or regulation hereafter adopted by the SEC.

 

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(b)    For as long as a Holder owns Registrable Securities issued or issuable upon conversion thereof, the Company will use reasonable best efforts to take such further necessary action as any holder of Registrable Securities may reasonably request in connection with the removal of any restrictive legend on the Registrable Securities being sold, all to the extent required from time to time to enable such Holder to sell the Restricted Securities to the public without registration under the Securities Act within the limitations of the exemption provided by Rule 144.

 

ARTICLE III


INDEMNIFICATION

 

Section 3.1    Indemnification by Company. To the extent permitted by applicable law, the Company will, with respect to any Registrable Securities covered by a registration statement or prospectus, or as to which registration, qualification or compliance under applicable “blue sky” laws has been effected pursuant to this Agreement, indemnify and hold harmless each Holder, each Holder’s current and former officers, directors, partners, members, managers, shareholders, accountants, attorneys, agents and employees, and each Person controlling such Holder within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act and such Holder’s current and former officers, directors, partners, members, managers, shareholders, accountants, attorneys, agents and employees, and each underwriter thereof, if any, and each Person who controls any such underwriter within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act (collectively, the “Company Indemnified Parties”), from and against any and all expenses, claims, losses, damages, costs (including costs of preparation and reasonable and documented attorney’s fees and any legal or other documented fees or expenses actually incurred by such party in connection with any investigation or proceeding), judgments, fines, penalties, charges, amounts paid in settlement and other liabilities, joint or several, (or actions in respect thereof) (collectively, “Losses”) to the extent arising out of or based on any untrue statement (or alleged untrue statement) of a material fact contained in any registration statement, prospectus, preliminary prospectus, offering circular, “issuer free writing prospectus” (as such term is defined in Rule 433 under the Securities Act) or other document, in each case related to such registration statement, or any amendment or supplement thereto, or based on any omission (or alleged omission) to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances in which they were made, not misleading, or any violation by the Company of the Securities Act, the Exchange Act, any state securities law or any rules or regulations thereunder applicable to the Company in connection with any registration or offering hereunder and (without limiting the preceding portions of this Section 3.1), the Company will reimburse each of the Company Indemnified Parties for any reasonable and documented out-of-pocket legal expenses and any other reasonable and documented out-of-pocket expenses actually incurred in connection with investigating, defending or, subject to the last sentence of this Section 3.1, settling any such Losses or action, as such expenses are incurred; provided that the Company’s indemnification obligations shall not apply to amounts paid in settlement of any Losses or action if such settlement is effected without the prior written consent of the Company (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed), nor shall the Company be liable to a Holder in any such case for any such Losses or action to the extent that it arises out of or is based upon a violation or alleged violation of any state or federal law (including any claim arising out of or based on any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission in the registration statement or prospectus) which occurs in reliance upon and in conformity with written information regarding such Holder furnished to the Company by such Holder or its authorized representatives expressly for use in connection with such registration by or on behalf of any Holder.

 

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Section 3.2    Indemnification by Holders. To the extent permitted by applicable law, each Holder will, if Registrable Securities held by such Holder are included in the securities as to which registration or qualification or compliance under applicable “blue sky” laws is being effected, indemnify, severally and not jointly with any other Holders, the Company, each of its representatives and Affiliates and each underwriter thereof, and each Person who controls the Company or such underwriter within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act (collectively, the “Holder Indemnified Parties”), against all Losses (or actions in respect thereof) to the extent arising out of or based on any untrue statement (or alleged untrue statement) of a material fact contained in any registration statement, prospectus, preliminary prospectus, offering circular, “issuer free writing prospectus” or other document, in each case related to such registration statement, or any amendment or supplement thereto, or based on any omission (or alleged omission) to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances in which they were made, not misleading, or and will reimburse each of the Holder Indemnified Parties for any reasonable and documented out-of-pocket legal expenses and any other reasonable and documented out-of-pocket expenses actually incurred in connection with investigating, defending or, subject to the last sentence of this Section 3.2, settling any such Losses or action, as such expenses are incurred, in each case to the extent, but only to the extent, that such untrue statement (or alleged untrue statement) or omission (or alleged omission) is made in such registration statement, prospectus, offering circular, “issuer free writing prospectus” or other document in reliance upon and in conformity with written information regarding such Holder furnished to the Company by such Holder or its authorized representatives and stated to be specifically for use therein; provided, however, that in no event shall any indemnity under this Section 3.2 payable by the Purchaser and any Holder exceed an amount equal to the net proceeds (after deducting Selling Expenses) actually received by such Holder in respect of the Registrable Securities sold pursuant to the registration statement. The indemnity agreement contained in this Section 3.2 shall not apply to amounts paid in settlement of any loss, claim, damage, liability or action if such settlement is effected without the prior written consent of the applicable Holder (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed).

 

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Section 3.3    Notification. If any Person shall be entitled to indemnification under this Article III (each, an “Indemnified Party”), such Indemnified Party shall give prompt notice to the party required to provide indemnification (each, an “Indemnifying Party”) of any claim or of the commencement of any proceeding as to which indemnity is sought. The Indemnifying Party shall have the right, exercisable by giving written notice to the Indemnified Party as promptly as reasonably practicable after the receipt of written notice from such Indemnified Party of such claim or proceeding, to, unless in the Indemnified Party’s reasonable judgment a conflict of interest between such indemnified and indemnifying parties may exist in respect of such claim, assume, at the Indemnifying Party’s expense, the defense of any such claim or litigation, with counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Indemnified Party and, after notice from the Indemnifying Party to such Indemnified Party of its election to assume the defense thereof, the Indemnifying Party will not (so long as it shall continue to have the right to defend, contest, litigate and settle the matter in question in accordance with this paragraph) be liable to such Indemnified Party hereunder for any legal expenses and other expenses subsequently incurred by such Indemnified Party in connection with the defense thereof; provided, however, that an Indemnified Party shall have the right to employ separate counsel in any such claim or litigation, but the fees and expenses of such counsel shall be at the expense of such Indemnified Party unless the Indemnifying Party  agrees to pay such fees and expenses or  shall have failed within a reasonable period of time to assume, or in the event of a conflict of interest cannot assume, such defense or shall have failed to employ counsel reasonably satisfactory to such Indemnified Party. The failure of any Indemnified Party to give notice as provided herein shall relieve an Indemnifying Party of its obligations under this Article III only to the extent that the failure to give such notice is materially prejudicial or harmful to such Indemnifying Party’s ability to defend such action. No Indemnifying Party, in the defense of any such claim or litigation, shall, except with the prior written consent of each Indemnified Party (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed), consent to entry of any judgment or enter into any settlement which does not (x) include as an unconditional term thereof the giving by the claimant or plaintiff to such Indemnified Party of a release, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Indemnified Party, from all liability in respect to such claim or litigation or (y) involve the imposition of equitable remedies or the imposition of any obligations on the Indemnified Party or adversely affects such Indemnified Party other than as a result of financial obligations for which such Indemnified Party would be entitled to indemnification hereunder. The indemnity agreements contained in this Article III shall not apply to amounts paid in settlement of any claim, loss, damage, liability or action if such settlement is effected without the prior written consent of the Indemnifying Party, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed. The indemnification set forth in this Article III shall be in addition to any other indemnification rights or agreements that an Indemnified Party may have. An Indemnifying Party who is not entitled to, or elects not to, assume the defense of a claim will not be obligated to pay the fees and expenses of more than one counsel (together with one local counsel, if appropriate) for all parties indemnified by such Indemnifying Party with respect to such claim, unless in the reasonable judgment of any Indemnified Party a conflict of interest may exist between such Indemnified Party and any other Indemnified Parties with respect to such claim.

 

Section 3.4    Contribution. If the indemnification provided for in this Article III is held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be unavailable to an Indemnified Party, other than pursuant to its terms, with respect to any Losses or action referred to therein, then, subject to the limitations contained in this Article III, the Indemnifying Party, in lieu of indemnifying such Indemnified Party hereunder, shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by such Indemnified Party as a result of such Losses or action in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative fault of the Indemnifying Party, on the one hand, and the Indemnified Party, on the other, in connection with the actions, statements or omissions that resulted in such Losses or action, as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. The relative fault of the Indemnifying Party, on the one hand, and the Indemnified Party, on the other hand, shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether any action in question, including any untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or omission or alleged omission to state a material fact, has been made (or omitted) by, or relates to information supplied by such Indemnifying Party or such Indemnified Party, and the parties’ relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent any such action, statement or omission. The Company and the Holders agree that it would not be just and equitable if contribution pursuant to this Section 3.4 was determined solely upon pro rata allocation or by any other method of allocation which does not take account of the equitable considerations referred to in the immediately preceding sentence of this Section 3.4. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the amount any Purchaser or any Holder will be obligated to contribute pursuant to this Section 3.4 will be limited to an amount equal to the net proceeds received by such Purchaser or Holder in respect of the Registrable Securities sold pursuant to the registration statement which gives rise to such obligation to contribute. No Person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any Person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation.

 

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ARTICLE IV


TRANSFER AND TERMINATION OF REGISTRATION RIGHTS

 

Section 4.1    Transfer of Registration Rights. Any rights to cause the Company to register securities granted to a Holder under this Agreement may be transferred or assigned to any Person in connection with a transfer of the Warrants, including the shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of the Warrants, as applicable; provided, however, that (x) prior written notice of such assignment of rights is given to the Company and (y) such transferee agrees in writing to be bound by, and subject to, this Agreement as a “Holder” pursuant to a written instrument in form and substance reasonably acceptable to the Company.

 

Section 4.2    Termination of Registration Rights. The rights of any particular Holder to cause the Company to register securities under Article I shall terminate with respect to such Holder upon the date upon which such Holder no longer holds any Registrable Securities.

 

ARTICLE V


MISCELLANEOUS

 

Section 5.1    Amendments and Waivers. Subject to applicable law and subject to the other provisions of this Agreement, this Agreement may be amended by the parties hereto at any time by execution of an instrument in writing signed on behalf of the Purchaser and the Company.

 

Section 5.2    Extension of Time, Waiver. The parties hereto may, to the extent legally allowed and except as otherwise set forth herein:  extend the time for the performance of any of the obligations or other acts of the other parties, as applicable; and  subject to the requirements of applicable law, waive compliance with any of the agreements or conditions for the benefit of such party contained herein. Any agreement on the part of a party hereto to any such extension or waiver will be valid only if set forth in an instrument in writing signed by such party; provided that the Purchaser may execute such waivers on behalf of any Holder. Any failure or delay in exercising any right, power or privilege pursuant to this Agreement will not constitute a waiver of such right, nor shall any single or partial exercise thereof preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, power or privilege.

 

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Section 5.3    Assignment. Except as provided in Section 4.1, neither this Agreement nor any of the rights, interests or obligations hereunder shall be assigned, in whole or in part, by operation of law or otherwise, by any of the parties hereto without the prior written consent of the other parties hereto; provided, further, that if the Company consolidates or merges with or into any Person and the Common Stock or any other Registrable Securities are, in whole or in part, converted into or exchanged for securities of a different issuer, and any Holder would, upon completion of such merger or consolidation, hold Registrable Securities of such issuer, then as a condition to such transaction the Company will cause such issuer to assume all of the Company’s rights and obligations under this Agreement in a written instrument delivered to the Holders.

 

Section 5.4    Counterparts. This Agreement and any amendments hereto may be executed in one or more counterparts, all of which will be considered one and the same agreement and will become effective when one or more counterparts have been signed by each of the parties hereto and delivered to the other parties hereto, it being understood that all parties need not sign the same counterpart. Any such counterpart, to the extent delivered by fax or .pdf, .tif, .gif, .jpg or similar attachment to electronic mail (any such delivery, an “Electronic Delivery”), will be treated in all manner and respects as an original executed counterpart and will be considered to have the same binding legal effect as if it were the original signed version thereof delivered in person. No party may raise the use of an Electronic Delivery to deliver a signature, or the fact that any signature or agreement or instrument was transmitted or communicated through the use of an Electronic Delivery, as a defense to the formation of a contract, and each party forever waives any such defense, except to the extent such defense relates to lack of authenticity.

 

Section 5.5    Entire Agreement; No Third Party Beneficiary. This Agreement and the documents and instruments and other agreements among the parties hereto as contemplated by or referred to herein, including the Purchase Agreement, constitute the entire agreement among the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersede all prior agreements and understandings, both written and oral, among the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof. This Agreement is not intended to and shall not confer any rights or remedies upon any person other than the parties hereto, their respective successors and permitted assigns and any Indemnified Party hereunder.

 

Section 5.6    Governing Law; Jurisdiction.

 

(a)    This Agreement and all actions, proceedings or counterclaims (whether based on contract, tort or otherwise) arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the actions of the Purchaser or the Company in the negotiation, administration, performance and enforcement thereof, shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York, including its statute of limitations, without giving effect to any choice or conflict of laws provision or rule (whether of the State of New York or any other jurisdiction) that would cause the application of the laws of any jurisdiction other than the State of New York.

 

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(b)    Each of the parties hereto:  irrevocably consents to the service of the summons and complaint and any other process (whether inside or outside the territorial jurisdiction of the Chosen Courts (as defined below)) in any Legal Proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement, in accordance with Section 5.9 or in such other manner as may be permitted by applicable law, and nothing in this Section 5.6(b) will affect the right of any party hereto to serve legal process in any other manner permitted by applicable law;  irrevocably and unconditionally consents and submits itself and its properties and assets in any Legal Proceeding to the exclusive general jurisdiction of any of the state and federal courts sitting in The City of New York, Borough of Manhattan (the “Chosen Courts”) in the event of any dispute or controversy relating to or arising out of this Agreement;  agrees that it will not attempt to deny or defeat such personal jurisdiction by motion or other request for leave from any such court;  agrees that any Legal Proceeding relating to or arising out of this Agreement will be brought, tried and determined only in the Chosen Courts;  waives any objection that it may now or hereafter have to the venue of any such Legal Proceeding in the Chosen Courts or that such Legal Proceeding was brought in an inconvenient court and agrees not to plead or claim the same; and  agrees that it will not bring any Legal Proceeding relating to or arising out of this Agreement in any court other than the Chosen Courts unless the Chosen Courts issue a final judgment determining that such court lacks jurisdiction. The Purchaser and the Company agrees that a final judgment and any interim relief (whether equitable or otherwise) in any Legal Proceeding in the Chosen Courts will be conclusive and may be enforced in other jurisdictions by suit on the judgment or in any other manner provided by applicable law.

 

Section 5.7    Specific Enforcement. The parties acknowledge and agree that  the parties shall be entitled to an injunction or injunctions, specific performance or other equitable relief to enforce specifically the terms and provisions hereof in the courts described in Section 5.6 without proof of damages or otherwise, this being in addition to any other remedy to which they are entitled under this Agreement and  the right of specific enforcement is an integral part of this Agreement and without that right, neither the Company nor the Purchaser would have entered into this Agreement. The parties hereto agree not to assert that a remedy of specific enforcement is unenforceable, invalid, contrary to law or inequitable for any reason, and agree not to assert that a remedy of monetary damages would provide an adequate remedy or that the parties otherwise have an adequate remedy at law. The parties hereto acknowledge and agree that any party seeking an injunction or injunctions to prevent breaches of this Agreement and to enforce specifically the terms and provisions of this Agreement in accordance with this Section 5.7 shall not be required to provide any bond or other security in connection with any such order or injunction.

 

Section 5.8    Waiver of Jury Trial. EACH PARTY ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES THAT ANY CONTROVERSY THAT MAY ARISE PURSUANT TO THIS AGREEMENT IS LIKELY TO INVOLVE COMPLICATED AND DIFFICULT ISSUES, AND THEREFORE EACH PARTY HEREBY IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVES ANY RIGHT THAT SUCH PARTY MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN RESPECT OF ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING (WHETHER FOR BREACH OF CONTRACT, TORTIOUS CONDUCT OR OTHERWISE) DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTION. EACH PARTY ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES THAT  NO REPRESENTATIVE, AGENT OR ATTORNEY OF ANY OTHER PARTY HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PARTY WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER;  IT UNDERSTANDS AND HAS CONSIDERED THE IMPLICATIONS OF THIS WAIVER;  IT MAKES THIS WAIVER VOLUNTARILY; AND  IT HAS BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS SECTION 5.8.

 

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Section 5.9    Notices. All notices and other communications hereunder must be in writing and will be deemed to have been duly delivered and received hereunder: (a) four Business Days after being sent by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid; (b) one Business Day after being sent for next Business Day delivery, fees prepaid, via a reputable nationwide overnight courier service; or (c) immediately upon delivery by electronic mail or by hand (with a written or electronic confirmation of delivery), in each case to the intended recipient as set forth below:

 

 

(a)

If to the Company, to it at:

 

RiceBran Technologies
25420 Kuykendahl Road, Suite B300
Tomball, Texas 77375
Attn: William J. Keneally
Email: ***@***

 

with a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:

 

Vinson & Elkins L.L.P.
1114 Avenue of the Americas
32nd Floor
New York, NY 10036
Attn: Lawrence Elbaum
Email: ***@***

 

 

(b)

If to the Holders or the Purchaser:

 

 

(i)

to Cable Car Capital LLC at:

 

Funicular Funds, LP
601 California Street, Suite 1151
San Francisco, CA 94108
Attn: Jacob Ma-Weaver
Email: ***@***

 

with a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:

 

Ropes & Gray, LLP
1211 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10036-8704
Attn: Jennifer Harris
Email: ***@***

 

Any notice received at the addressee’s location on any Business Day after 5:00 p.m., addressee’s local time, or on any day that is not a Business Day will be deemed to have been received at 9:00 a.m., addressee’s local time, on the next Business Day. From time to time, any party hereto may provide notice to the other parties hereto of a change in its address or e-mail address through a notice given in accordance with this Section 5.9, except that that notice of any change to the address or any of the other details specified in or pursuant to this Section 5.9 will not be deemed to have been received until, and will be deemed to have been received upon, the later of the date (A) specified in such notice or (B) that is five Business Days after such notice would otherwise be deemed to have been received pursuant to this Section 5.9.

 

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Section 5.10    Severability. In the event that any provision of this Agreement, or the application thereof, becomes or is declared by a court of competent jurisdiction to be illegal, void or unenforceable, the remainder of this Agreement will continue in full force and effect and the application of such provision to other Persons or circumstances will be interpreted so as reasonably to effect the intent of the parties hereto. Upon such a determination, the parties hereto agree to negotiate in good faith to replace such void or unenforceable provision of this Agreement with a valid and enforceable provision that will achieve, to the extent possible, the economic, business and other purposes of such void or unenforceable provision. If any provision of this Agreement is so broad as to be unenforceable, such provision will be interpreted to be only so broad as it is enforceable.

 

Section 5.11    Expenses. Except as provided in Section 2.3 and Article III, all costs and expenses, including fees and disbursements of counsel, financial advisors and accountants, incurred in connection with this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby shall be paid by the party incurring such costs and expenses.

 

Section 5.12    No Inconsistent Agreements; Most Favored Nations. The Company is not currently a party to any agreement with any holder or prospective holder of any securities of the Company giving such holder or prospective holder any registration rights the terms of which are on parity with or senior to, or inconsistent with, the registration rights granted to the Holders pursuant to this Agreement. The Company shall not enter into any agreement with respect to its securities  that is inconsistent with or violates the rights granted to the Holders by this Agreement,  that would allow any holder or prospective holder of any securities of the Company to include such securities in any Underwritten Offering or registration giving rights to the rights under Section 1.6 unless, under the terms of such agreement, such holder or prospective holder may include such securities in any such registration only to the extent that their inclusion would not reduce the amount of the Registrable Securities of the Holders included therein or  on terms otherwise more favorable than this Agreement.

 

[Signature pages follow]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Registration Rights Agreement as of the date first above written.

 
  COMPANY:
     
  RICEBRAN TECHNOLOGIES
     
     
  By: /s/ William J. Keneally
  Name: William J. Keneally
  Title:  Interim Chief Financial Officer and Secretary

 

Signature Page To Registration Rights Agreement

 

 

 

  PURCHASER:
   
  FUNICULAR FUNDS, LP
     
     
  By: /s/ Jacob Ma-Weaver
  Name: Jacob Ma-Weaver
  Title: Managing Member of the General Partner

 

Signature Page To Registration Rights Agreement

 

 

EXHIBIT A


DEFINED TERMS

 

The following capitalized terms have the meanings indicated:

 

“Adverse Disclosure” means public disclosure of material non-public information that, in the good faith judgment of the Company (after consultation with legal counsel):  would be required to be made in any registration statement filed with the SEC by the Company so that such registration statement would not be materially misleading;  would not be required to be made at such time but for the filing, effectiveness or continued use of such registration statement; and  the Company has a bona fide business purpose for not disclosing publicly.

 

“Affiliates” means, with respect to any Person, any other Person that, directly or indirectly, controls, is controlled by or is under common control with such Person. For purposes of this definition, the term “control” (including, with correlative meanings, the terms “controlling,” “controlled by” and “under common control with”), as used with respect to any Person, means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of that Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities or partnership or other ownership interests, by contract or otherwise.

 

“Business Day” means any day except a Saturday, a Sunday or other day on which the SEC or banks in the City of New York are authorized or required by law to be closed.

 

“Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and any successor statute thereto, and the rules and regulations of the SEC promulgated thereunder.

 

“FINRA” means the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc.

 

“Legal Proceeding” means any claim, action, charge, lawsuit, litigation, audit, investigation, arbitration or other similar legal proceeding brought by or pending before any governmental authority, arbitrator or other tribunal

 

“Person” means any individual, corporation, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, association, trust, unincorporated organization or any other entity, including a governmental authority.

 

“register”, “registered” and “registration” refer to a registration effected by preparing and filing a registration statement in compliance with the Securities Act, and the declaration or ordering of the effectiveness of such registration statement or the automatic effectiveness of such registration statement, as applicable.

 

A-1
 

 

“Registrable Securities” means, as of any date of determination,  any shares of Common Stock hereafter acquired by any Holder pursuant to the exercise of the Warrants pursuant to the terms thereof and  any other securities issued or issuable with respect to any such shares of Common Stock by way of share split, share dividend, distribution, recapitalization, merger, exchange, replacement or similar event or otherwise. As to any particular Registrable Securities, once issued, such securities shall cease to be Registrable Securities when  such securities are sold or otherwise transferred pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act,  such securities shall have ceased to be outstanding,  such securities have been transferred in a transaction in which the Holder’s rights under this Agreement are not assigned to the transferee of the securities,  such securities are sold in a broker’s transaction under circumstances in which all of the applicable conditions of Rule 144 (or any similar provisions then in force) under the Securities Act are met,  such securities are eligible to be resold in a broker’s transaction under Rule 144 without regard to Rule 144’s volume and manner of sale restrictions and the Holder, collectively with its Affiliates, holds less than 3% of the Company’s then-outstanding shares of Common Stock and has no representative on the Company’s board of directors or  such securities have been sold or transferred by any Holder thereof pursuant to Rule 144 (or any similar provision then in force under the Securities Act) and the transferee thereof does not receive “restricted securities” as defined in Rule 144. For purposes of this Agreement, a Person will be deemed to be a holder of Registrable Securities, and the Registrable Securities will be deemed to be in existence, whenever such Person has the right to acquire, directly or indirectly, such Registrable Securities (upon conversion or exercise in connection with a transfer of securities or otherwise, but disregarding any restrictions or limitations upon the exercise of such right), whether or not such acquisition has actually been effected, and such Person will be entitled to exercise the rights of a holder of Registrable Securities hereunder (it being understood that a holder of Registrable Securities may only request that Registrable Securities in the form of Common Stock be registered pursuant to this Agreement (even if such Holder does not yet hold its Registrable Securities in the form of Common Stock)).

 

“Registration Expenses” means all  expenses incurred by the Company in complying with Article I, including all registration, qualification, listing and filing fees, printing expenses, escrow fees, and fees and disbursements of counsel for the Company, blue sky fees and expenses and  reasonable, documented out-of-pocket fees and expenses of outside legal counsel to the Purchaser and Holders retained in connection with registrations and offerings contemplated hereby; provided, however, that the Company shall only be responsible for the fees and expenses of each such outside legal counsel up to an amount not to exceed $25,000 per registration or offering. For the avoidance of doubt, Registration Expenses shall not be deemed to include any Selling Expenses.

 

“Registration Statement” means any registration statement of the Company filed or to be filed with the SEC under the rules and regulations promulgated under the Securities Act, including the related prospectus, amendments and supplements to such registration statement, and including pre- and post-effective amendments, and all exhibits and all material incorporated by reference in such registration statement.

 

“Restricted Securities” means any Common Stock required to bear a restrictive legend.

 

“Rule 144” means Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act and any successor provision.

 

“Rule 462(e)” means Rule 462(e) promulgated under the Securities Act and any successor provision.

 

“SEC” means the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

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“Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and any successor statute thereto, and the rules and regulations of the SEC promulgated thereunder.

 

“Selling Expenses” means all underwriting discounts, selling commissions and stock transfer taxes applicable to the securities registered by the Holders and the fees and expenses of any accountants or other persons (except as set forth in the definition of “Registration Expenses”) retained or employed by the Purchaser and the Holders.

 

“Shelf Registration Statement” means the Resale Shelf Registration Statement or a Subsequent Shelf Registration Statement, as applicable.

 

The following terms are defined in the Sections of the Agreement indicated:

 

INDEX OF TERMS

 

Term

Section

Agreement

Preamble

Chosen Courts

Section 5.6(b)

Common Stock

Recitals

Company

Preamble

Company Indemnified Parties

Section 3.1

Effectiveness Period

Section 1.2

Electronic Delivery

Section 5.4

Holder

Preamble

Holder Indemnified Parties

Section 3.2

Holders

Preamble

Indemnified Party

Section 3.3

Indemnifying Party

Section 3.3

Interruption Period

Section 2.1

Losses

Section 3.1

Offering Persons

Section 2.1(m)

Piggyback Notice

Section 1.6(a)

Piggyback Registration Statement

Section 1.6(a)

Piggyback Request

Section 1.6(a)

Purchase Agreement

Recitals

Purchaser

Preamble

Resale Shelf Registration Statement

Section 1.1

Subsequent Shelf Registration Statement

Section 1.3

Suspension Period

Section 2.2

Underwritten Offering

Section 1.5(a)

Underwritten Offering Notice

Section 1.5(a)

Warrants

Recitals

 

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